Teacher of the year awards Willoughby Hills resident with scholarship

Kaveka Williams teaches medical assisting and electronic health at Miami Jacobs Career College in Independence.

But the 26-year-old Willoughby Hills resident plans to advance her career by completing her master's degree after she was selected for a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Phoenix.

Williams was awarded the full-tuition scholarship by Natalie Wester, a University Heights teacher who had been selected as the 2010 Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

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Each year, the University of Phoenix contacts the teachers who have won teacher of the year and allows them to "teach it forward," or pass a scholarship on to another, said Gina Cuffari, territory vice president for Ohio and Kentucky campuses.

Wester said she chose Williams because she was able to connect with her story.

"Her story, it really shows the depth and the commitment that she brings to furthering her education," Wester said.

Williams began her coursework toward her master's degree in September, and has nine classes left before she completes her program in health administration. Her ultimate goal is to become the administrator of a center for aging.

"I've always liked dealing with elderly people, I grew up around older people, my godmother, she was 66 when I was born, I dealt with her a lot," Williams said.

In her teaching now, Williams said she educates her students about the different transformations the body goes through as it ages because she wants to alleviate any fear of growing old.

Although she has been working hard toward earning her degree, Williams said the flexible schedule has allowed her to still devote 100 percent to her students.

"Certain topics I can actually share with my students, give them just a little more insight," she added.

Ideally, Williams said she would like to work at the center for aging on her former college campus at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

"I would love to get down there and educate other students that were like me at Central State," she said.